Atheros WLAN Technology Featured in Award-Winning Sonos(R) Digital Music System

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atheros Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHR), a leading developer of advanced wireless solutions, today announced that its high performance, extended range wireless LAN (WLAN) technology provides reliable wireless connectivity to the award- winning wireless multi-room digital music system from Sonos(R). The system includes the Sonos(R) ZonePlayer 80 (ZP80), Sonos(R) ZonePlayer 100 (ZP100) and Sonos(R) Controller 100 (CR100). Leveraging mesh-networking technology called Sonosnet(R), the Sonos Digital Music System was recently named winner of the Consumer Electronics category in The Wall Street Journal's Technology Innovation Awards. Among all of the category award winners, Sonos was the only company to receive an additional 'Honorable Mention' in the best of winners class.

Sonos' ZonePlayers enable consumers to stream digital music from a Mac, PC, networked hard drive, Internet radio or online subscription music service all over the home. Sonos' innovative design allows each ZonePlayer to play a unique digital music stream or multiple ZonePlayers to play the same digital music stream perfectly synchronized throughout the home, a first in wireless multi-room audio. Additionally, the Sonos system is the only product that allows the user to control all of their digital music from the palm of their hand -- another benefit of the innovative wireless mesh network approach. The Sonos system uses Sonosnet to connect and play music from as many as 32 ZonePlayers in a home simultaneously.

"Digital music is changing the way people listen to their favorite music. Sonos is the only true multi-room, whole-home approach to digital music, providing the user with total control all from the palm of their hand," said Andrew Schulert, vice president of product development of Sonos, Inc. "The Atheros wireless chip's robust performance, long range and customizable software architecture have been key in bringing innovation to the multi-room digital music space."

The ZonePlayers feature Atheros' AR5005G 802.11b/g chipset, which provides a highly flexible architecture and support for Linux, enabling companies like Sonos to develop mesh networking capabilities, synchronization and other application-specific features. The AR5005G delivers physical data rates up to 54 megabits-per-second (Mbps) to support multiple, simultaneous digital audio streams between ZonePlayers. The chipset also provides hardware-based AES encryption to build a secure network -- protecting digital music rights.

"Wireless media networking is increasing the value of Wi-Fi technology in the digital home," said Todd Antes, vice president of marketing of Atheros. "We are pleased to support Sonos in their remarkably innovative use of our wireless LAN technology to extend the reach of digital music into every room in the home."

For a demonstration of the Sonos Digital Music System, please visit http://www.sonos.com/demos/house_demo/. For more information regarding the AR5005G solution, please visit http://www.atheros.com/pt/AR5005G.htm.

About Sonos, Inc.

Sonos(R) is the leading developer of wireless multi-room music systems for the digital home. By partnering with audio services like Rhapsody(R), eMusic(R), RadioIO(SM), Audible.com(R), and more, Sonos gives music lovers instant plug-and-play access to millions of songs and books that can be enjoyed all over the house. The award-winning Sonos(R) Digital Music System is available at more than 500 retailers and custom integrators in North America, including Tweeter, Magnolia Home Theater at Best Buy, Magnolia Audio Video, Amazon.com, and Crutchfield, or direct from Sonos at http://www.sonos.com. Sonos is also sold in more than 30 countries around the world. Sonos is a privately- held company, headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA with offices in Cambridge, MA and Hilversum, Netherlands. To find out more about the company or the Sonos Digital Music System, please visit: http://www.sonos.com.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is a leading developer of semiconductor system solutions for wireless communications products. Atheros combines its wireless systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency (RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide highly integrated chipsets that are manufacturable on low-cost, standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros technology is being used by a broad base of leading customers, including personal computer, networking equipment and handset manufacturers. For more information, visit http://www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com

Atheros and the Atheros logo are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the sole property of their respective owners.